Charge get in win column with victory over Bayhawks

December 1, 2012 at 2:25 PM EST - Updated June 28 at 4:01 PM

CANTON, OH (WOIO) - The Canton Charge held off the Erie BayHawks, 91-80, in front of 2,364 at the Memorial Civic Center on Friday night for their first victory of the season. Canton improved to 1-3 on the young 2012-13 campaign, while Erie evened their mark at 1-1.

The Charge led for the final 37 minutes of the game and by as much as 23 at one point. Canton set a team record with their 80 points allowed tonight after their previous low was allowing 85 to Fort Wayne on February 10th of last season. Canton also tied a team record for rebounds, nabbing 57 boards to Erie's 31. The Charge came into the game averaging 50.7 rebounds per game, good for 5th in the D-League. The BayHawks forced 29 turnovers for 34 points in the game.

Kevin Jones continued his streak of double-doubles in every game thus far with a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting with 13 rebounds, one steal and one block in 40 minutes. Jorge Gutierrez continued his solid all-around play with 10 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a steal in 35 minutes. Arinze Onuaku tallied 14 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes.

D.J. Kennedy paced Erie with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, nine rebounds and a game-high five steals. Henry Sims provided 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 24 minutes from the center position for the BayHawks. Nick Covington was the only other starter in double figures, tallying 14 points and four assists in 37 minutes. Both teams combined for 27 steals in the game with Erie edging Canton, 15-12.

Micheal Eric came off the bench to add seven points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in just 20 minutes for the Charge. Kyle Gibson scored 12 points and nabbed two steals in 30 minutes, while Kevin Anderson had 11 points and four assists in 23 minutes of relief. All 18 players in uniform for both teams got into the scoring column.

The two East Division foes will be back at it again tomorrow night when Canton will head to Erie for the BayHawks' home opener at 7:00 p.m. at Erie Insurance Arena.